1 Corinthians 16:24

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen (KJV)

Then: Just to be sure, Paul tells the Corinthians again of his personal love for them which is based on and interwined with theirs and his belief in Christ.

Now: We need reminders and assurances as to our place in Christ and in the hearts of fellow believers. We also need to take time to give out assurances.

1 Corinthians 16:16

That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth (KJV)

Then: The Corinthians aren't the only congregation Paul started. He has worked with many whom the Lord calls. Some of the Corinthians, with their problem of thinking one preacher better than another, may have not been as open as possible to Paul's missive bearers. They needed an extra bit of urging. So Paul praises Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus giving them status. Paul hopes the letter bearers will be well received.

Now: When we get a house or home ready to receive visitors, we are so busy that we spend a lot of time thinking about our side of the work and not too much about the feelings of the ones who are coming. If we consider Paul's request we can also think about the problems the visitors are facing. That question, "Did you have a nice trip" takes on addded meaning. It's a part of keeping the Lord's commandment to be loving.

1 Corinthians 16:15

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) (KJV)

Then: Paul likes to end his letters according to the custom. He gives greetings to specific people and also includes greetings from some of the people with him in Ephesus. Stephanas, along with Fortunatus, and Achaicus who are mentioned in the next verses are the ones who carry the letter to the Corinthians (Baker, p. 245). They also got to read it aloud and answer questions. By "first fruits," Paul means Stephanas became an early believer during Paul's ministry in Achaia, land area in and around Corinth. Baker (p. 246) reminds readers thatPaul baptized this household (1 Corinthians 1:16).

Now: We don't spend much time looking at Greece and the location of Corinth. A map shows how easy (by 1st century standards) it was to get to Corinth. Paul could expect speedy delivery. Those who brought the letter needed an extra kind of hospitality. Paul is indirectly asking the Corinthians to draw the letter carriers into mutual fellowship, forget their party allegiances and submit to them as they do to other believers because they are fellow servants. Today's churches host college teams, visiting ministers, traveling missionaries and other servants of the Lord. By helping with lodging and meals congregations have a chance to speak and learn from the visitors at the same time they serve Christ. Normally, there aren't any underlying tensions, but occasional, through the imperfections of humanity, similar situations exist.

Extra Source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.